Cartridge rack



1,634,953 July 5,1927. M. MCCUNE ET CARTRIDGE RACK Filed June 9, 1923 1LVVZHVIZIR M10 M 619116 BY Lharlas L,Paulud A TTORNEY Patented July 5,1927.

UNITED STATES IILO MOCUNE AND CHARLES Ii. PATILUS, 0F DAYTOiN', OHIO.

CARTRIDGE BACK.

Application filed June a, 1923. Serial no. 044,439.

This invention relates to a new and improved type of cartridge rack forthe carrying of pyrotechnic cartridges in an aeroplane in proximity tothe pilots seat.

Due to the open construction of the cartrid e rack, the type of signalto be used can be etermined by the sense of touch. The ammunition used,which. is cylindrical in shape, is furnished with certain specifiedknurled rings upon its outer diameter which indicates the color and kindofsignal encased. The rack whichis made of a very light material such asaluminum or duralumin is of such construction .that it can be installedin a comparatively small space, which is very necessary especially whenused in an aeroplane. The main object of the invention is to provide ameans of carrying pyrotechnic ammunition or other ammunition of a likenature, in such a way that it is always readily available for use. Asecond object of the invention is the construction of an ammunition rackwhich is formed entirely of one piece of metal of a light material andconstructed in such a manner as to give it the required strength.Further objects of the invention will become apparent in the descriptionand attached claims.

In the accompanying drawings.-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the rack;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same; and

Figure 3 is a section taken on lines 3 on Figure 2.

The upper horizontal portion 1 of the rack is held rigidly in positionat right angles to the back or mounting surface 2 by the use of thereinforcing member 3 which is a part of and formed from the backmounting surface 2 of the device. The reinforcing member 3' is welded,or otherwise secured at points 5 and 6 to the upper horizontal portion1, and the lower horizontally extending portion 4. This arrangementmaintains the upper portion 1 and the lower surface 4 'at right anglesto the rear mounting surface 2 and gives the device a very rigidconstruction. The bottom or retaining section 7 is held in position bythe lower reinforcing panel 8 which is also welded or secured at 9 and10 to the lower surface4 and the bottom retaining section 7. The uppersurface 1, back 2, lower surface 4, front 4' and bottom retaining member7 are formed of a single sheet of duralumin which is bent and stampedinto the shape described. The reinforcing side members 3 and 8 are alsoparts of the same sheet of metal. Receiving holes 11 and 12 are providedin the upper and lower horizontal surfaces 1 and 4 respectively by asuitable stamping openation in which the edges of the opening areflanged over as shown for strength. Sui-table lightening holes 13 may beprovided as indicated in Fig. 1 in the back 2 and lightening holes 14are also provided in the bottom member 7, these bottom holes, however,not being directly below the holes 12. Suitable holes 20 are provided inthe back part 2 by which the device can be bolted to the inside of anaeroplane cockpit in a convenient location.

A plurality of flat steel springs 15 are suitably secured to the rearmounting surface 2 by rivets 16. The upper part 17 of the spring 15 isof such a length as to prevent any rotation of the spring upon therivets 16. The formed flanges 18 and 19 of the upper portion 1 and thebottom retaining section 7, respectively,- are for the purpose ofstiffening these surfaces. The bottom retaining or supporting surface 7not onl prevents the cartridge from slipping throug the rack but alsoforms a fire proof member which will prevent fire from being thrown intothe fuselage of an aeroplane in the event of an accidental discharge ofthe cartridge, in which case the cartridge would be blown up and out ofthe rack. Although the primary use of the device is for carrylngpyrotechnic ammunition in an aeroplane for the purpose of signalling, itcan be used equally as well in any other place where ammunition of likedescription is used.

Having thus described our invention what we desire'to claim and protectby Letters Patent is 1. An ammunition rack comprising aback plate, anupper plate at the top of the back plate, a lower plate at the bottom ofthe back plate, a bottom plate, afroht plate between the lower andbottom plates, and side plates interconnecting the back, upper and lowerplates, all of said plates being formed of a single sheet of metal, andholes in said upper and lower munition cartridges.

2. An ammunition rack comprising a substantially, vertical front plate,a substantially vertical ack plate, an upper plate attached to the topedge of the back plate, a lower plates formounting amplate and a bottomplate below the lower plate, a side reinforcing member integrallyuniting at the side, the top, back and lower plates, other reinforcinmembers integrally uniting at the sides t e lower, front, and bottomplates, and means for frictionally retaining cartridges in said plates.'

3. An ammunition rack comprising a front plate, a back plate, an upperlate joined to the upper edge of said back plate, a lower plate joinedto the bottom edge of the back plate and to the top edge of the frontplate and a bottom plate, said upper, lower, and bottom plates beingsuperposed, a side rememes inforcing member into ally uniting at theside the top, back, an? lower plates, other reinforcin membersintegrally uniting at the sides the lower, front, and bottom plates,

openings in said upper and lower plates for a V MILO MGCUNE, lsr LT. A.S.

CHARLES L. PAULUS.

